Hurricane Season is Here… And So are More Pests!

With Tropical Storm Alberto already spinning in the Gulf, it looks like we have an early hurricane season again this year. In fact, maybe we should just change the dates, as this is the 4th year in a row where we’ve had a named storm in May.

Regardless, it’s time to start checking your hurricane kit, making sure you’re prepared for any eventuality, and preparing your home in case a storm causes bugs and rodents to invade your home.

Even if we don’t get hit with a category 4 or 5 hurricane this year, the rainy season itself leads to downed trees, standing water and lusher vegetation, all of which can cause insects to multiply and seek shelter in your home – whether its damaged or not.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Of course, standing water is the first and one of the biggest concerns for Floridians. Rodent and ground level insect nests, especially fire ants mounds, flood long before our homes do, sending the various critters in search of a new place to live, even temporarily.

The added moisture in the ground and around our homes can drive ants as well as termites to take up residence in your walls. Make sure you know the difference between the two, because while ants can be annoying, termites can be extremely costly and should be dealt with immediately. In fact, if you’d like to protect your home from termites before the storm hits, check out our Termite Control and our comprehensive Term Assure 365 for the best all natural termite prevention.

The other issue with standing water, of course, is that it’s a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You’ll want to check pet bowls, planters, gutters, and trash cans & lids for standing water and get rid of it as soon as you can. Additionally, our exclusive Mosquito Protection Program™ creates No Bite Zones on your property that safely and naturally transform biting mosquitoes and their unborn children into vegans!

What You Need vs What You Want

While you need to stock up on certain items like batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable foods, you might want to limit your perishable food shopping for a few months. Take the time to clean out any spoiled or past due date food from your fridge and limit your restocking to what you need and will eat over the next 3-7 days.

Spoiled and rotting food attracts flies and rodents and if you lose power during a storm, you don’t want too much food going bad before utilities can be restored. It’s something we don’t like to think about, but it took a week to 10 days to get power restored in many areas after some of our more recent hurricanes.

Inspect Now, Save Later

Now is the time to get your home and garage fully inspected to make sure all gaps are sealed from top to bottom. In the middle of a storm is no time to discover cracks and leaks. And even if high winds don’t pull off pieces of your roof, even small gaps can let in rain as well as rats and mice.

One of the best features of our Go Green Plus 3 is the pre-treatment inspection. We’ll take a look at every access point of your home – including the ones you might not think of, like gutters, cable and phone installations, and where overhanging trees meet your eaves. We make you aware of the potential points of entry and treat them all for insect prevention.

Our Thermal Acoustical Pest Control, or TAP, is a great investment right now too. It deters rodents and insects from entering your home through the attic and roof, while safely insulating your home for cooler and quieter summers and energy saving winters. Plus, it’s fire-retardant and safe for the whole family.

You Can Never Be Too Prepared

Don’t wait to prepare for the tropical activity that happens every year in Florida. Hurricanes and even Tropical Storms are nothing to laugh at. Make sure you have an emergency survival kit on hand – you can’t rely on speeding over to Walmart or Publix when the storm threatens. FEMA recommends the following supplies to have available now:

Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least five days for drinking and sanitation

Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert

Flashlight

First aid kit

Extra batteries

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

After you put together your hurricane survival kit, get a head start on your pest prevention preparation; join our happy customers from Lakewood Ranch to North Port in being as ready for the storm as you can! One of our highly trained staff will be happy to walk you through our 100% natural, safe pest solutions if you just give us a call.

Organic Pest Control

Green is where it is at in today's world, and Good News is a Green leader in the pest control industry. We were the first to use minimum risk, pesticide-exempt labeled products to obtain guaranteed results. Working with EPA registered products, we have been able to further our world class rating as the "best of the best" when it comes to managing pest problems naturally.

Termite Control

Termites do more damage every year than floods, fires, and storms combined, and Florida is the #1 state in the country for termite problems because of our perfect tropical environment. Good News is the leader in using natural, organic, and essential oil alternatives to control both dry wood and subterranean termite pests. We even offer a 1 Million Dollar Damage Repair Warranty for homes that qualify.

Rodent Control

Rodents have been around longer than we have and also multiply much quicker. Every time builders remove natural landscape and put homes in its place, rodents are some of the first invaders to take up new residence. Add lush palms and fruit trees and you have the perfect environment for a furry family. Good News has been recognized by industry experts as one of the top 10 companies in Florida in eradication of these unwelcome guests.

Commercial

Commercial pest control is an extremely specialized service. That's why Good News opened a separate division to expertly deal with the unique issues related to businesses, restaurants, institutions, health care facilities, hospitality and multi-resident dwellings in 2005. Our highly trained inspectors and technicians are uniquely qualified to handle virtually any pest problem on demand. We even have green alternatives for commercial solutions.